The four finalists for the 2024 Lombardi Award have been revealed, and we’re just a day away from the announcement of the prestigious award’s 51st recipient.
The Lombardi Award Ceremony will be streamed on KPRC 2+ on the night of Dec. 11, starting at 7 p.m. You can download the KPRC 2+ app here.
The Lombardi Award was first introduced back in 1970 after the passing of Vince Lombardi due to colon cancer. He is widely regarded as one of the best coaches and most influential figures in football history.
It was established by the Rotary Club of Houston with the permission of Lombardi’s widow, Marie, and his sister, Madeline Lombardi Werner. Proceeds from the annual Gala associated with the award go towards cancer research and families battling the disease, as the Lombardi family wanted.
You can donate to the Lombardi Award and its mission to kick cancer’s butt here.
Donations of any amount are so appreciated. Anyone interesting in contributing can also purchase items including a Lombardi Build-A-Bear, raffle tickets or a $50 lantern to honor a loved one.
This year’s finalists are South Carolina edge rusher Kyle Kennard; Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter; LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell; and Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
The Lombardi Award honor is handed to the player who “displays exceptional performance and ability and embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.”
THE 51st #LOMBARDIAWARD FINALISTS!
— Lombardi Award (@lombardi_award) November 20, 2024
Who’s taking home the trophy?
Get your tickets now 👉 https://t.co/Fwbz73k54I #RotaryClubofHTX @KyleKennard1 pic.twitter.com/liZkp8ZXBJ
Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. represents the state of Texas through his university, but his roots are also not too far from Houston. He grew up in Humble and attended Summer Creek High School. If Banks Jr. wins the Lombardi Award, he would be the fourth Longhorn to do so and the first since Brian Orakpo in 2008.
All 12 of the semifinalists are listed below:
- Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
- Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
- Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
- Kyle Lewis, DL, Army
- James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
- Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Virginia Tech
- Colin Ramos, LB, Navy
- Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
- Mykel Williams, LOLB, Georgia
